Katie Stores named assistant dean of finance for the College of Natural Resources and Environment

Katie Stores, associate vice president for finance, operations, and research administration at West Virginia University, has been named assistant dean of finance for Virginia Tech's College of Natural Resources and Environment, effective July 10, 2026.

Stores brings more than 18 years of experience in higher education finance, research administration, operations, and organizational leadership. Throughout her career, she has led complex initiatives that strengthened financial stewardship, modernized systems, improved service delivery, and supported faculty, staff, and student success.

In her new role, Stores will provide strategic leadership for the college's financial operations, budgeting, resource planning, and administrative functions while supporting the college's academic, research, and outreach mission.

"Katie brings extensive experience in higher education finance, administration, and strategic operations, with a strong background in budgeting, research administration, and organizational planning,” said Dean Saskia van de Gevel. “Her collaborative leadership style, commitment to growth, and ability to build strong partnerships will help position the college for continued strategic success.”

Stores previously served as associate vice president for finance, operations, and research administration in West Virginia University's Office of Research, where she oversaw sponsored programs, finance, research systems, analytics, operations, and training. She led major modernization efforts, including electronic research administration initiatives; and representing the research interests of enterprise resource planning all designed to improve efficiency, strengthen internal controls, and enhance data-informed decision-making across the university's research enterprise.

Prior to her current role, Stores held several leadership positions at West Virginia University and Emory University, including senior director of operations and training, assistant vice president for research administration, director of sponsored programs, and associate dean for research. Across those roles, she led organizational transitions, developed policies and performance measures, managed large-scale operations, and built collaborative partnerships among faculty, administrators, and external stakeholders.

“I have always been drawn to mission-driven institutions where collaboration, service, and innovation come together to create meaningful impact,” Stores said. “The College of Natural Resources and Environment has an outstanding reputation for preparing students, advancing research, and serving communities. I am fortunate to join Dean Saskia van de Gevel’s leadership team. She is innovative, strategic, and remarkably humble, which is a rare combination that is reflected in the strength and collegiality of her team. The interview process revealed the exceptional talent across CNRE, CALS, and throughout the University, and I am eager to begin collaborating, learning, and contributing to our shared vision. I am excited to join the college and help support its continued growth and success.”

Throughout her career, Stores has focused on building service-oriented organizations that help faculty and staff succeed while ensuring responsible stewardship of institutional resources. Her experience includes developing financial and operational strategies, implementing performance metrics, leading process improvement initiatives, and navigating complex regulatory and compliance environments.

“Strong financial and operational foundations create opportunities for innovation, growth, and impact,” Stores said. “I look forward to working alongside faculty, staff, students, alumni, and partners to support the college's mission and help advance its strategic goals.”

Stores holds a doctorate in political science and public policy, a master's degree in public administration with a concentration in health care administration, and a master's degree in political science from West Virginia University. She earned a bachelor's degree in business administration and finance from Concord University. She is also a Certified Research Administrator.